Isaiah Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Isaiah Harris |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: July 2, 1925 Parkin, Arkansas |
|||
| Died: September 18, 2001 (aged 76) Memphis, Tennessee |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| 1949, for the Memphis Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1956, for the Memphis Red Sox | |||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Isaiah "Lefty" Harris (born July 2, 1925 – died September 18, 2001) was a talented American baseball player. He was a professional pitcher in the Negro Leagues. Harris played for the Memphis Red Sox team from 1949 to 1956. His nickname "Lefty" came from the fact that he threw the baseball with his left hand.
Becoming a Baseball Star
Isaiah Harris was born in Parkin, Arkansas. Before joining a professional team, he played baseball for local amateur teams. These teams were made up of Black players near his hometown.
In 1949, Harris joined the Memphis Red Sox. He was a left-handed pitcher. People knew him for his excellent control over his pitches. He could throw a fast fastball and a tricky curveball.
Harris had an amazing first season. On April 7, he allowed only one hit against the Chicago American Giants. On May 17, he struck out 16 players from the American Giants in one game. Then, on June 16, he threw a "two-hitter" against the Houston Eagles. This means he only allowed two hits in the whole game.
He finished his first year with a great record of 17 wins and only 4 losses. He also led the Negro American League in strikeouts. After this successful season, big teams like the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs showed interest in him. However, he decided to stay with the Memphis Red Sox. In October, he even played in a special game against the famous Satchel Paige All-Stars.
Highlights with the Memphis Red Sox
Isaiah Harris continued to have many impressive moments. On August 12, he pitched a "no-hitter" against the Kansas City Monarchs. This means no player on the other team got a hit during the entire game. He also played in an exhibition game on October 22. In that game, he faced Don Newcombe and played against a combined team of the Jackie Robinson All-Stars and the Indianapolis Clowns.
On July 14, 1951, Harris showed off his skills in a game against the Indianapolis Clowns. While pitching for 12 innings and helping his team win, he also hit a home run! It was estimated to have traveled about 450 feet.
Because of his great talent, Harris was chosen to play in the East-West All-Star Game in 1952. This game featured the best players from the East and West divisions of the Negro Leagues.
By July 1953, newspapers like The Commercial Appeal reported that the Yankees, Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates were still watching Harris. He was chosen for the East-West All-Star Game again in 1953. In that game, he pitched three innings without allowing any runs. On August 16, 1954, he threw another two-hitter against the Louisville Clippers. He was named to the East-West All-Star Game for a third time later that month. In 1955, he was selected for his fourth All-Star Game. He continued to play for the Red Sox until at least the 1956 season.
Life After Baseball
After his baseball career, Isaiah Harris worked for a company called ADM. He passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 18, 2001.
